Epilogue, Next Year's Words Summary and Analysis

The future of Standard and American English is unclear. Many British people are concerned that English is degenerating and becoming more long-winded. Some blame this on the vast number of new people using the language and an increasing philosophy of relativism. Some fear jargon in particularly. Arguments are often made to standardize English but they do not always have the best motives. Grammar gurus are becoming increasingly authoritarian particularly with respect to bilingualism. Linguistic conservatives and radicals will always battle one another.

English at the end of the 20th century is much like it was in the sixteenth century. New words and uses are being created very quickly to describe new inventions and experiences. Often in-groups modify English to create their own codes. Many sub-genres are being deliberately created as a result such as surf-speak...